Zellers is looking to stage a major comeback in Ontario. The retailer recently opened its first of two stores planned for 2026 near Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.
As Zellers monitors consumer reaction to its North York location, the company’s second store is set to open its doors in Windsor’s Tecumseh Mall next month—meaning more employment opportunities for Ontarians.
READ MORE: Dollarama planning to open hundreds of new stores in Canada
Before accepting a job offer from any employer in the province, never forget that you have rights. Here are three rights that are a must-know for non-unionized workers in this situation.
1. You don’t have to sign an employment contract immediately
Contrary to popular belief, Ontarians don’t have to accept an employment contract on the spot or a few days after it was provided to them.
If you’ve received a job offer, it’s in your best interest to bring the unsigned documents to an Ontario employment lawyer for review. This will ensure that you’re not forfeiting key workplace protections ahead of your start date.
2. You might be owed severance pay if you’re fired during probation
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It’s not unusual for employers in Ontario to ask new staff members to complete a probationary period.
If you’re fired or let go during this time, you might be owed severance pay—even if the employment contract you signed contains a “probation clause.”
READ MORE: Law firm’s tool helps Ontarians calculate their severance entitlements
Being terminated while on probation is a distressing situation that one of my clients, an assistant store manager in Toronto, found himself in.
Almost a week before his probationary period was scheduled to end, the individual received a phone call from his employer—informing him that he was being let go because his position was “no longer necessary.”
Fighting back tears, the assistant store manager thanked his boss for the call and calmly cleared his workspace after hanging up. Once he got home, he phoned Samfiru Tumarkin LLP—curious if he was entitled to severance pay.
READ MORE: Fired for no reason? An employment lawyer breaks down next steps
Fortunately for my client, his employment contract didn’t contain a probation clause. After a brief phone call with his employer, I was able to secure a favourable amount of compensation for him without getting the courts involved.
3. Inducement affects your severance entitlements
Instead of waiting for top talent to knock on their door, many employers in Ontario actively recruit non-unionized workers from other companies.
When businesses take documented steps to pull individuals away from their current place of employment, this is known as “inducement.”
If you decide to work for a company that’s trying to recruit you, and you’re fired or let go shortly after making the switch, contact the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP before accepting a severance offer.
My firm has a proven track record of successfully resolving various workplace issues, including severance disputes. We can confirm that the inducement was correctly factored into your offer and help you obtain proper compensation if it wasn’t.
READ MORE: 6 common employer mistakes that could lead to a bigger payout after termination
Being pressured to accept a job or severance offer in Ontario immediately?
Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP or call 1-855-821-5900 for a consultation with an employment lawyer. Get the advice you need and the compensation you deserve.
Lior Samfiru is an employment lawyer and co-founding partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, Canada’s most positively reviewed law firm specializing in employment law and long-term disability claims. He provides legal insight on Canada’s only Employment Law Show on TV and radio.
